Batson v. Kentucky

Batson (defendant), an African American man, was indicted for burglary and receiving stolen goods. During jury selection, the prosecutor used peremptory challenges to strike every African American member of the venire, leaving an all-white jury. Batson moved to discharge the jury, arguing the strikes violated the Equal Protection Clause, but the trial judge denied the motion and Batson was convicted on both counts. The Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed, and the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.